The Pulse: Oct. 30, 2023

This week, council committees are set to discuss climate action, projects to help homeless and vulnerable Edmontonians, and whether to incentivize office tower conversions, among other topics.

Community and public services committee will meet on Oct. 30, urban planning committee will meet on Oct. 31, executive committee will meet on Nov. 1, and utility committee will meet on Nov. 3.

Here are some of the key items on the agenda:

• An update on the city's climate strategies notes that the nearly $376 million of capital and operating spending that council approved for the 2023-2026 budget cycle will take decades to impact carbon emissions. Executive committee members will discuss options for a dedicated climate fund, which could involve a climate tax levy of between 0.45% and 0.8% in each of the next 10 years. The results of the 2023 Climate Change and Energy Perceptions Report indicate that 73% of Edmontonians believe action on climate change is needed, but only 34% of those surveyed support a dedicated climate action tax levy.
• Community and public services committee will discuss several items related to vulnerable and homeless Edmontonians on Oct. 30. Since the city's 2017 Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness, the number of people experiencing homelessness has more than doubled to an all-time high of 3,200. In the same period, the city has placed 8,500 people in stable housing. The city is working with stakeholders on an updated plan. Four Indigenous-led projects are being explored: a permanent shelter, a trailer shelter on Enoch Cree Nation, a stabilization space that would act as bridge housing for people leaving homelessness, and a transitional space run by several Indigenous-led organizations.
• An incentive program to encourage the conversion of empty downtown office space to other uses in the face of high office vacancy rates will be discussed at an urban planning committee meeting on Oct. 31. In its latest report on the Edmonton office market, Avison Young said an incentive program like one recently implemented in Calgary would result in a range of positive outcomes. Grow Together Edmonton, however, questioned the financial viability of such subsidies. The city said most industry representatives indicated that $75 per square foot would be a meaningful incentive that would make new development viable, and responses ranged between $40 and $100 per square foot. Listen to Episode 239 of Speaking Municipally for more on the proposed incentive program.

• The city held a press conference to introduce several new updates to its Snow and Ice Control program, including a new live snow-clearing map and changes to its snow-clearing service levels. Major roads such as freeways, arterial roads and business districts are the city's first priority and will be cleared within five days. The city has also identified a Winter Priority Loop that will be cleared within 24 hours to create a reliable winter cycling network. Bike lanes outside the loop will be cleared within three days, along with city sidewalks, wheelchair ramps, bridges, stairs, and parking lots. Manually cleared areas, including bus stops, will be cleared within two weeks. As with previous years, residents can sign up for parking ban notifications to be informed when they need to move their vehicles. Last week, council approved a one-time $5-million funding boost for snow and ice clearing, though this year's budget of $63.3 million is still $9 million less than last season.
• A spike in dog attacks prompted the city's Animal Care and Control Centre to remind Edmontonians about responsible pet ownership. Dog attack complaints rose by 18% in 2023 compared to last year, with a 66% increase since 2021, the city said. Last week, a provincial court issued a $10,000 fine to a pet owner whose dog was involved in multiple complaints and attacks. The city is also renewing its Animal Control and Licensing bylaw. Residents can register online for a virtual public engagement event on Nov. 2 about the bylaw renewal.
• The Latta Bridge on Jasper Avenue between 90 and 91 Street reopened on Oct. 29. The previous bridge, which was 80 years old, was replaced so it could be widened to meet current city standards and now includes a shared path. The city said the rehabilitation of the nearby Kinnaird Bridge was completed at the same time to minimize construction impacts on the community.
• The Edmonton Oilers ended a four-game losing streak by defeating the Calgary Flames 5-2 in the 2023 Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium. "The way we came out and asserted the way we wanted to play, it looked like us tonight," coach Jay Woodcroft said. While Oilers captain Connor McDavid had missed the two previous games because of an injury, he recovered in time for the game, which gave "everybody a little bit of a lift," Woodcroft added. The Battle of Alberta edition of the Heritage Classic marked the 20th anniversary of the outdoor game.
• Hangar 14, a historic building in Edmonton's former City Centre Airport lands, is up for sale. The building, which is home to the Alberta Aviation Museum, needs $42 million in repairs. The city has set requirements for potential buyers, including honouring the museum's existing lease. A price hasn't been set for the building, but the city said it's open to all offers that meet its proposal requirements.
• CBC News profiled two Edmonton homeowners who created elaborate and spooky Halloween yard displays. Molly Bzdel said her family begins decorating at the beginning of October, attracting neighbours who keep up with the evolving display. "The kids love it," Bzdel said. "They love to see it grow every year." Tammy Ewanec said her family spent about $300 to build a haunted pirate ship this year. "Halloween is the one time of the year that I can get away with being a big kid," Ewanec said.
• The Edmonton Police Service welcomed 35 new constables to its ranks during a graduation ceremony for Training Class 157 at City Hall on Oct. 27. Among the graduates were Const. Alex Opoka, who immigrated from Uganda, and Const. Torrell Red Iron, who is Métis and the son of an RCMP officer. Both officers will work out of downtown division.
• A whistleblower who sounded the alarm about healthcare conditions inside the Edmonton Remand Centre is still concerned about substandard care in the jail. Alberta Health Services made changes in response to a watchdog report that highlighted "medical mistreatment" and "serious and significant wrongdoing," but the whistleblower, who had been employed as a healthcare professional at the facility, said improvements are still needed, particularly in training charge nurses to handle emergencies.
• The Edmonton & District Cricket League is facing challenges due to limited field space and increasing popularity. With 1,500 adult and senior players, the league only has seven playing spaces, two of which are home base locations. The lack of field space means games are capped at 12 per team. The city is working with the league to secure more playing space, and will provide one additional cricket pitch for next season. League president Gurdeep Klair said the priority now is finding more practice space for the winter.
• An affordable housing project in Leduc will receive $8.6 million in funding through a joint investment from the federal and provincial governments, the city of Leduc, and the Leduc Regional Housing Foundation. Gaetz Landing II will be developed into a 24-unit low-rise apartment building designated for women fleeing violence and people with low incomes. Six of the units will be fully accessible. Construction on the project began in July and is excepted to finish by March 2024.
• The province has rejected a recommended 17%-salary increase for provincially appointed judges, opting for a smaller raise of 9.3% for 2021-2024. In a report, the province said the initial recommendation, made by the Alberta Judicial Compensation Commission, was "out of step with the economic times" and could have hurt public confidence in the judiciary. The approved raise will cost $14.9 million.
• MLAs will return to the Alberta Legislature on Oct. 30 as the first sitting since the provincial election begins with a Speech from the Throne. Debate on the UCP government's proposal to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan is expected to feature prominently this session. The government says it expects to table between seven and nine bills this sitting, which will continue until early December. The Opposition NDP released its own alternative throne speech on Oct. 27.

Opportunities this week include a Halloween-themed night market, a delicious chance to discuss Frankenstein, a meeting for young professionals, a celebration of regional collaboration, and an exploration of augmented intelligence.

• Oct. 30, 6pm: Halloween Market at BlakBar
• Oct. 30, 7pm: Food For Thought: A Culinary Bookclub at the Stanley A. Milner Library
• Nov. 1, 6pm: Edmonton Junior Chamber International Brewery Tour and Social at Asymmetrical Brewing
• Nov. 2: forward/slash, presented by Edmonton Global at the Edmonton Convention Centre
• Nov. 2-4: Data Management Association Edmonton's 9th Annual Conference at NAIT's Productivity and Innovation Centre

Find even more things to do in Taproot's weekly roundups.

Photo: The forward/slash summit is an annual event celebrating "the work that is collectively being done to radically transform and grow the economy of the Edmonton region." (Flickr)